Way Back Whensday

teeny tiny soccer star~September 2008

Evie's 1st soccer game of the season

Evie had her first game in division U8 today. She was so excited to finally play after being rained out last weekend. It was a tough game against girls that were way bigger than our team, and we are so proud of her for hanging with them. She got slapped, tripped, kicked, and pushed around today, which was a new experience for her and her parents (tough to watch). We had some tears, but she got back in the game each time. She had 2 goals and an assist on a 3rd goal. The video below shows her joy and excitement of finally scoring.

Ready to go

Playing hard against the big girls

Putting all the skills she has learned over the past couple of years to use

Andrew's 1st AYSO game

Andrew is in the U5 AYSO division this year. It is a great program for beginner soccer players. He started out in Upward last fall and really struggled emotionally playing games, but he did fantastic at his first U5 training and game. The kids get to run drills with a parent the first half of their time and play a 3 vs. 3 game during the second half. He loved this format and really enjoyed playing, which is not something we could honestly say during most of his games last fall.

Kicking over the coffee cans

Turning the ball around

On his way to score one of his goals (we lost count of how many times he scored)!

Way Back Whensday-birthday edition

September 1, 2005

Toy Story Pool Party

Ready to swim

Aliens, Hamm, Jessie's hat, Woody's hat

Yummy alien cupcake

Great friend having a wonderful time!

First day of Pre-K

Andrew went to his first day of Pre-K at West Hills Baptist today. We wrestled with the decision of sending him on to kindergarten or giving him an extra year to mature. Phil and I both are very confident that we made the right decision by putting him in a 5 day Fives program instead of public school kindergarten this year. This is the first time he has been to a new place in 3 years, so I didn't know how he would react. He was completely fine! I am the one that had a hard time with it. I guess I lingered too long, because he finally asked me if I was ready to go yet. The only concern he had was lunch. They provide a hot lunch and after 3 years of taking his lunch he just couldn't understand why he didn't have a lunch box. His fears were put to rest when they served pizza and broccoli (he loves both)! He had a great day and can't wait to go back to see his teachers and new friends again.

Me: That is a great backpack, Andrew.

Andrew: Yeah, mom, it is sweet!

Way Back Whensday

Amazing how much Evie has changed in a year!

Fabulous Summer

I put Evie on the bus this morning, so summer is officially over for us. I have to say this has been one of the best summers, and I have enjoyed the kids so much. Here's a look back at how we spent the summer of 2010:

Played at Cocoa Beach

Visited Downtown Disney (same thing as Disney World to the kids)

Watched a rocket launch ~ Andrew still tells people it came from LC-37 (launch complex @ Canaveral)

Had fun at Saddleridge Ranch

Hiked in Cades Cove

saw Toy Story 3 (twice!)

Played with their 1st sparklers and fireworks

Learned to swim like little fish

Enjoyed many trips to Dollywood

Fell in love with Skippyjon Jones

...and now it is off to 1st grade and 5 day Fives.

Kids Workshop

We took the kids to their first Home Depot Kids Workshop this past weekend. It is held the first Saturday of each month at every store in the country and is completely free. I knew Andrew would love working with the tools, but the Queen of Crafts enjoyed it as much as her brother. They are already looking forward to doing it again next month.

Kentucky Splash

The kids have been asking to go to Splash Country for over a year now, but I was nervous about keeping up with them there and it is pricey. I kept hearing commercials on the radio for Kentucky Splash, so Phil took the day off and we headed north to try it out. The kids loved it! It reminded me of hot summer days I spent at Ogle's in Pigeon Forge when I was little. KYS has two waterslides, wave pool, kids splash pool, and a lazy river. Andrew barely squeaked by on the height requirement for the the big blue waterslide, but he loved it and rode it more than anyone else in our family. I am sure we will make it to Splash Country sometime, but for this summer Kentucky Splash was perfect!